By Jon Steer
September 23 2005

Durham will finish the season as runners up in the Frizzell county championship second division unless Yorkshire pull off an incredibly unlikley victory in their rain affected game with Northants. Yorkshire need eight points from the game to move ahead of Durham. After winning the toss but failing to secure any bonus batting points as they were dismissed for 177, Yorkshire must win the game to move out of third place in the division.

Northants looked in fine form as they declared on 476/9 in reply, setting a target of over 300 for Yorkshire to avoid an innings defeat. Yorkshire went into the match with an unbeaten record in the championship this season and hopes of winning the division two title.

Winning the division is worth £30,000 in prize money. A second place finish in the division is worth £15,000, there is no prize for third place. Durham are virtually guaranteed a top two finish in the National League where prize money for the top spots is £15,000 and £7,000 respectively. A win on Sunday could still give Durham the National League division 2 title if Sussex lose thier match.

At lunch on the third day Yorkshire are 55/3 with rain so far preventing any play in the afternoon session. Yorkshire will probably hope that the weather worsens so that they can extend their unbeaten record.